2011 NBA Mock Draft: Full 1st-Round Mock, How It Shakes out After Kyrie Irving
As of now, it seems that the Minnesota Timberwolves will select Kyrie Irving with the first pick of the 2011 NBA draft. The T'Wolves are in desperate need for a solid point guard, as only one player (Luke Ridnour at 5.4) averaged more than 3.4 assists per game this past season for the squad.
It does not seem that Ridnour is the long-term option at point guard for Minnesota, and they will probably select Irving to become the face of the franchise, at least in the backcourt, and to lead the team back to a respectable record.
After Irving, though, how will the draft shape up?
Many mock drafts have quite a few European players being selected early, but teams often shy away from these shady prospects. Trades can also shake up the draft, for if a player drops that a team strongly desires, the entire night can be altered.
With that being said, here are my draft projections for the entire first round.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Kyrie Irving
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Milicic in the frontcourt, the Minnesota Timberwolves clearly need to address guard-play.
Kyrie Irving is far-and-away the most talented and promising point guard in the 2011 NBA Draft, and With Kevin Love, Michael Beasley, and a young-and-improving Darko he could lead Minnesota back to a winning record in a short time. He is just 19 years old, and not many other players in the draft offer the same potential as he does.
In drafting Irving, the Timberwolves will get a guaranteed stud. And unlike Ricky Rubio, he'll play right away.
2010-11 College Stats (Duke): 17.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 52.9% Field Goal Shooting, 46.2% Three-Point Shooting, 90.1% Free Throw Shooting
2. Cleveland Cavaliers: Derrick Williams
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Who in this draft has the potential to ignite entire arenas with dunks, similar to, let's say, the way LeBron James did?
The answer is Derrick Williams.
While Williams is no LeBron James, he will be a great fit for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have no true small forward on their roster for next season, so he should start right away and have an immediate impact.
As seen from his short time with Blake Griffin in Los Angeles, Baron Davis truly enjoys playing with young, athletic players. With Williams on the Cleveland roster, Davis will be revitalized, and the Cavs will suddenly be an exciting team.
Williams's diversity should not be ignored: He has a seven-foot wingspan and the ability to stretch the floor very well. He will make an impact in the NBA from the very start of his career.
2010-11 College Stats (Arizona): 19.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.0 SPG, 59.5% Field Goal Shooting, 56.8% Three Point Shooting
3. Toronto Raptors: Enes Kanter
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With Reggie Evans's contract expiring, the Toronto Raptors will be in desperate need for rebounding. Toronto's starting center, Andrea Bargnani, averaged just 5.2 rebounds per game this past season.
The Raptors will select Enes Kanter to immediately bolster their front line. The team as a whole placed twenty-first in the league in rebounding, and their soon-to-be draftee is an absolute beast on the boards: He averaged 16.4 rebounds per game for Turkey in the 2009 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship in 2009.
One concern regarding Kanter is health: His 6'11" frame has not proven to be completely capable of supporting itself, and his knees have suffered. Hopefully, his career is not cut short.
Another concern is a lack of game experience. It is widely known that Kanter was ineligible this entire season as a member of the Kentucky Wildcats. In one of the last games he played in, however, he scored 34 points and grabbed 13 rebounds (at the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit), which is a great sign.
4. Washington Wizards: Donatas Motiejunas
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The Washington Wizards will be looking to give Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee some help up front in the draft. Donatas Motiejunas will give them just that.
At seven-feet tall, Motiejunas will help the Wizards out on the boards. He is not as soft as some other Europeans in this draft, and will rebound right away, if he is motivated.
Like current-Wizard Blatche, Motiejunas is extremely talented but does not always work very hard. In fact, he often hardly works. Washington should play him right away to keep him focused and on task, or else he could end up fading into basketball obscurity.
2010-11 Eurocup Stats (Benetton Bwin): 10.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG
5. Sacramento Kings: Brandon Knight
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The Sacramento Kings need a point guard to pair with Tyreke Evans in the backcourt. A true point guard would allow Evans to move over to his more natural shooting guard position, and Brandon Knight fits the bill perfectly.
Knight can score with the best of them, but his true abilities lie in his point guard skills. As of now, I feel like Evans has a low ceiling as a point guard.
If the Kings snag Knight, they could make their backcourt feared in a few years, for Knight has the chance to be special, as does Evans at the two-guard spot.
2010-11 College Stats (Kentucky): 17.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 4.2 APG
6. Utah Jazz: Jonas Valanciunas
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The Utah Jazz are very thin at the center position. With Mehmet Okur's health constantly in question, the Jazz should look to another European center: Jonas Valanciunas.
Valanciunas, unlike some other European bigs, is not excessively frail. He is hard-working, unselfish, and truly enjoys playing the game of basketball.
Valanciunas will be a very efficient pro, and in Europe he has shown the ability to be an incredibly effective scorer. He knows his limitations, and plays to his strengths. With that being said, he will need to develop his right hand, because defenders in the NBA are a lot different from defenders in Europe.
2010-11 Euroleague Stats (Lietuvos Rytas): 7.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 70.8% Field Goal Shooting, 88.5% Free Throw Shooting
7. Detroit Pistons: Tristan Thompson
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Tristan Thompson is a young Tayshaun Prince. It's just that simple.
The two are lefties with incredible wingspans, both have great defensive instincts, and soon enough, both will have been members of the Detroit Pistons.
One distinct difference between the two is Thompson's lack of a shooting touch from outside. He makes up for this with incredible shot-blocking instincts. Hopefully, for Detroit's sake, he and Greg Monroe form a young, exciting backcourt.
2010-11 College Stats (Texas): 13.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.4 BPG, 54.6% Field Goal Shooting, 48.7% Free Throw Shooting
8. Cleveland Cavaliers: Jan Vesely
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Jan Vesely is too talented for the Cleveland Cavaliers to pass on at pick number eight.
Vesely can do it all, scoring offensively in a variety of ways, contributing defensively on every possession, and playing with heart throughout the entire game. He could be a fan-favorite at Quicken Loans Arena, replacing Zydrunas Ilgauskas as the resident-European.
Despite Vesely's ability to shoot the three-ball, he struggles immensely at the free throw line. It seems to be just a mental issue, and it is completely fixable. Other than that, there are no real red flags regarding his game.
2010-11 Euroleague Stats (Partizan MT:s): 10.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 53.6% Field Goal Shooting, 44.4% Free Throw Shooting
9. Charlotte Bobcats: Kemba Walker
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D.J. Augustin is in great need of help at the point guard position for the Charlotte Bobcats. Soon enough, he will be coming off the bench to help out Kemba Walker.
Walker is a natural leader, something that the Bobcats truly need. I believe that he will be able to continue to build on the success he had in the NCAA Tournament and be a successful NBA player. The kid loves playing the game, and will not accept failure.
With immediate playing time and trust from teammates, Kemba could be a dark horse Rookie of the Year candidate.
2010-11 College Stats (UConn): 23.5 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.9 SPG
10. Milwaukee Bucks: Alec Burks
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It is time for the Milwaukee Bucks to move on from Michael Redd and draft a shooting guard. That shooting guard will be Alec Burks.
Burks is 6'6", so he will help out Brandon Jennings and his lack of size in the backcourt. He can be a very solid defender with his length, and if he puts on more weight, perhaps even elite.
Offense is no problem for Burks, who can score in a variety of ways. He will make the Bucks, who averaged an abysmal 91.9 points per game this past season, less predictable on the offensive end of the floor.
2010-11 College Stats (Colorado): 20.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.1 SPG
11. Golden State Warriors: Marcus Morris
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The Golden State Warriors really need a power forward to play alongside David Lee, and Marcus Morris is a great pick for San Francisco squad.
Morris can score on the block, rebound well, and play solid defense. His ceiling is virtually as high as anyone else's in this draft, and hopefully the Warriors can tap his full potential.
The final factor that will make certain that Golden State selects Morris is his three-point shooting ability. Hopefully, though, he won't become too three-point happy, like the rest of the current roster oftentimes does.
2010-11 College Stats (Kansas): 17.2 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 57.0% Field Goal Shooting, 34.2% Three-Point Shooting
12. Utah Jazz: Jimmer Fredette
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Jimmer Fredette is the obvious choice for the Utah Jazz. Utah truly needs a scorer at the shooting guard position, and if you don't think Fredette is the best scorer at the two-guard in this draft class, you must be crazy.
I personally feel that Fredette will not be a failure at all in the NBA; rather, he will be a very good scorer for many years. Yes, his defense is subpar, but his work ethic is very strong and he will work as hard as possible to better his play on that end of the court.
Fredette is an underrated athlete, and he can create his own shot very effectively. When he goes on to have a great NBA career, the Jazz will be extremely glad that they selected the in-state hero.
2010-11 College Stats (BYU): 28.9 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.3 SPG, 39.6% Three-Point Shooting, 89.4% Free Throw Shooting
13. Phoenix Suns: Kawhi Leonard
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Grant Hill's career will end sooner than later, and the Phoenix Suns might trade Steve Nash this offseason. Thus will begin a rebuilding era for the Suns.
For the Suns, Kawhi Leonard can be a great all-around small forward. The West Coast stud was consistent all-year long for the San Diego State Aztecs, and played well against the tough competition he faced throughout the season, both in and out of the Mountain West Conference.
I believe that Leonard will be successful for many years on the Suns, just like another player they selected in the mid-teens out of a California school.
2010-11 College Stats (San Diego State): 15.5 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.4 SPG
14. Houston Rockets: Markieff Morris
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Yao Ming is injured, Brad Miller is old, Chuck Hayes is short, and Hasheem Thabeet is, well... Hasheem Thabeet.
To add some guaranteed size for years to come, the Rockets will select the safe pick: Markieff Morris.
The bulkier of the twins, Markieff rebounds with the best of them and can score in a variety of ways. He can actually stretch the floor pretty well despite his size, as he hit 25 three-pointers last season for the Kansas Jayhawks.
Morris will stay in the western half of the country, but moving from Kansas to Houston, Texas, will be a vast change. His solid play on the basketball court, however, will remain the same.
2010-11 College Stats (Kansas): 13.6 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.1 BPG, 58.9% Field Goal Shooting, 42.4% Three-Point Shooting
15. Indiana Pacers: Jordan Hamilton
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To address its shooting guard needs, the Indiana Pacers will draft a tall, diverse shooting guard in Jordan Hamilton.
Hamilton is a pure scorer with the additional ability to rebound the basketball, and could start right away for the Pacers.
2010-11 College Stats (Texas): 18.6 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 2.1 APG
16. Philadelphia 76ers: Bismack Biyombo
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The Philadelphia 76ers lacked a truly good center in the 2010-11 season, and they could surprise a lot of people by selecting the intriguing Bismack Biyombo.
Biyombo is incredibly long, with a 7'7" wingspan, and strong, at 243 pounds. He should be a defensive force right away for Doug Collins.
2010-11 Spanish League Stats (Fuenlabrada): 6.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 2.3 BPG, 55.2% Field Goal Shooting
17. New York Knicks: Kenneth Faried
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The New York Knicks need a defensive-minded center. It's a pretty simple need, and the pick should be pretty simple.
Kenneth Faried could be the next Dennis Rodman. 'Nough said.
2010-11 College Stats (Morehead State): 17.3 PPG, 14.5 RPG, 2.3 BPG, 1.9 SPG, 62.3% Field Goal Shooting
18. Washington Wizards: Klay Thompson
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The Washington Wizards may go with a "best player available" approach at this point in the draft.
Klay Thompson is undeniably talented, but his personal issues raise some red flags. Regardless, the Wizards will snag this elite scorer.
2010-11 College Stats (Washington State): 21.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.7 APG, 1.6 SPG, 39.8% Three-Point Shooting
19. Charlotte Bobcats: Trey Thompkins
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Having already selected Kemba Walker, the Charlotte Bobcats will look to add frontcourt strength.
Trey Thompkins can be a beast as a power forward, and the Bobcats will keep him in the Southeast.
2010-11 College Stats (Georgia): 16.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.7 BPG, 1.1 SPG
20. Minnesota Timberwolves: Chris Singleton
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Chris Singleton is a great defender, something the Minnesota Timberwolves sorely lack.
If management uses any brains in this selection, Singleton will be picked.
2010-11 College Stats (Florida State): 13.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.5 BPG, 2.0 SPG
21. Portland Trail Blazers: Tyler Honeycutt
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The Portland Trail Blazers could go many ways with this pick, and it would probably be in their best interest to draft a center. If the top centers aren't off the board yet, they will take one of them.
If the centers are gone, however, Portland will select Tyler Honeycutt, the multi-talented West Coast talent.
2010-11 College Stats (UCLA): 12.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 2.1 BPG
22. Denver Nuggets: Tobias Harris
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With only Wilson Chandler at the small forward position, the Denver Nuggets will solidify the three-spot by drafting Tobias Harris.
Harris can do many things well on the court, and his ceiling is as high as some lottery picks.
2010-11 College Stats (Tennessee): 15.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.3 APG
23. Houston Rockets: Darius Morris
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The Houston Rockets traded away Aaron Brooks, and are now lacking depth in the backcourt. Darius Morris can play both guard spots, and will make an immediate impact for the Rockets.
Morris has the potential to either burst out onto the scene as a stud, or fizzle out very quickly.
2010-11 College Stats (Michigan): 15.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 48.9% Field Goal Shooting
24. Oklahoma City Thunder: JaJuan Johnson
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Most mock drafts have JaJuan Johnson going to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
I don't see why not, as they would love to have an offensive-minded power forward as a complement to Serge Ibaka.
2010-11 College Stats (Purdue): 20.5 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.3 BPG, 80.9% Free Throw Shooting
25. Boston Celtics: Jordan Williams
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Although he won't completely replace Kevin Garnett, Jordan Williams has great upside for the Boston Celtics. He can rebound very well, is lengthy and has a good work ethic.
As the Big Three era ends, Williams will emerge in Boston.
2010-11 College Stats (Maryland): 16.9 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 1.4 BPG, 53.8% Field Goal Shooting
26. Dallas Mavericks: Nolan Smith
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The Dallas Mavericks are going strong right now, but they will need to address their point guard needs eventually.
Nolan Smith is NBA-ready, and could be the leader for the Mavericks in years to come.
2010-11 College Stats (Duke): 20.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.1 APG, 1.2 SPG
27. New Jersey Nets: Shelvin Mack
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There is no guarantee that Deron Williams will return to the New Jersey Nets for any significant amount of years, so they will snag a point guard in this draft.
Shelvin Mack could be a steal this late in the draft, as he is a very confident and skilled player.
2010-11 College Stats (Butler): 16.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.4 SPG
28. Chicago Bulls: Kyle Singler
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Simply a best-available approach here for the Chicago Bulls, who will late till later to address their shooting guard needs.
Kyle Singler is the guy to be picked here.
2010-11 College Stats (Duke): 16.9 PPG, 6.8 RPG
29. San Antonio Spurs: Norris Cole
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The San Antonio Spurs are very smooth drafters, and seem to find studs from low-level schools all the time. Currently, they have Gary Neal (Towson) and George Hill (IUPUI).
Norris Cole, out of Cleveland State, is the next stud for the the Spurs.
2010-11 College Stats (Cleveland State): 21.7 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.2 SPG
30. Chicago Bulls: Malcolm Lee
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If the Chicago Bulls can win the NBA Title this year with Keith Bogans at shooting guard, I will be dumbfounded. Just dumbfounded.
Malcolm Lee will be the most talented shooting guard on the board, and hopefully he will fit in with Chicago's unique style of play.
2010-11 College Stats (UCLA): 13.1 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.0 APG
